If left untreated, patients with severe cases may wind up with heart failure.
Aortic stenosis has subtle warning signs in the earliest stages, and many patients don’t realize their problems or symptoms at first. Many patients learn of the issues during routine physical exams, when an abnormal heart murmur is typically the first sign of trouble.
Although older people are more likely to develop problems, infants and young children can have aortic stenosis. Many of them will show no symptoms save for chest pain following vigorous exercise.
WHAT CAUSES IT
Several conditions can cause the problem. Most likely it is a congenital heart defect. The aortic valve has three tightly fitting flats of triangular-shaped tissue called leaflets. Some younger people can be born with less, and the issue may not be discovered until adulthood, when the valve begins to lag or leak. If it is discovered earlier, the patient will have to be regularly evaluated by a doctor in order to detect any worsening of the valve issue. Because it is a birth defect, medical professionals are not sure why the issue develops.
The aortic stenosis condition can also be caused by a calcium build-up on the valve. As we age, calcium can accumulate in small deposits, including on the aortic valve leaflets. While some build-up is normal with this condition and may not cause problems, an increase in age means greater accumulation of calcium, and the resulting weaker heart condition can morph into the aortic stenosis condition. The aortic stenosis is more common in men over age 65 and women over age 75.
Rheumatic fever can also be an issue that causes aortic valve stenosis. A complication that stems from strep throat infections, rheumatic fever can leave scar tissue on the aortic valve. The weight of that scar tissue can narrow the valve and lead to aortic valve stenosis. It can also leave a surface that calcium can accumulate on, doubling the risk factors as the afflicted ages.